Coping with the Challenges of the Venus Retrograde: It’s not all about Love. Venus is also the Goddess of Cash.

As many of you know, I am a Kashmir Shaivist. My daily practice includes mantra and mediation. Before then I studied various forms of a occultism and witchery and think of myself as a witch when the room demands a “broom.” Venus Retrograde has given me a unique set of challenges because I am a triple Libra, which means that Venus is all over my astrological chart. In preparation I had the pleasure of interviewing astrologer James David Wade – the Pisces Prince, who offered me some very good insights on my weekly radio show with Tony Sokol , Magick Lab Academy on the SOC Radio Network. He cautioned me that reevaluating my relationships would be bumpy but necessary. Likewise, Venus, the Goddess of Cash Flow would also challenge me to think outside the box in order to maintain the momentum that began with my prediction that “Moonlight” would win best picture on the EXTRA Weekend Edition.

For a Hindu Laxshmi is the “go-to” Goddess of Prosperity and Fortune. After meditating upon her for a time before the Venus Retrograde I was advised to clean up my house from top to bottom in order to get my money mojo back which had been slacking despite the fact that I’ve got at least 7 current stories including Moi on Google News. What I discovered during a 3 day marathon of cleaning is that my puppy, the fabulous Vampire Chihuahua, Fifi, had created a doggy den of iniquity with dirty underwear and pee right underneath my bed! Once I found this energetic black hole in my bedroom the energy shifted and things got back to normal. When I mentioned this to James he congratulated me on following the advice that he was ready to give me himself, which was clean up – EVERYTHING.

But, cleaning was not enough. Unknown to many people outside Hinduism who worship and invoke Laxshmi, she has an older sister/twin who is also the Goddess of Poverty and Loss. Alaxshmi travels with her sister and on some occasions balances the boon granted by Laxshmi with tragedy that evens the karmic score almost instantaneously. Remember the stories of the Lottery Winners who lose their spouses and eventually all their money through spending and excess? For me that is a good example of the saying, “The Goddess giveth and the Goddess taketh away.” So, the first thing I did before doing my 3 day marathon cleaning for Laxshmi was erect an outdoor altar to Alaxshmi who in many traditions is Laxshmi’s owl.

I created this altar for Alaxshmi right outside our front door so that when I invoke Laxshmi her sister has an equally beautiful altar OUTSIDE our house which she can relax and enjoy so that poverty stays outside which prosperity and good fortune come inside to an immaculate place. Alaxshmi likes things that are sour and spicy so I gave her lemons and red chilis. 3 days after I made Alaxshmi her own altar, my little witchy house was booked as a location for the tv show, “Crime Watch Daily,” and I even got to re-enact the role of Rachel Lee, a master criminal gypsy con artist. Even so, Laxshmi continues to challenge me to push myself far outside of my comfort zone and I now have a new live chat show on the North American Psychic and Paranormal Network.

You see, I foolishly believed that since I’m very happy in my current relationship that the worst part of Venus Retrograde would be deflecting the unwanted advances of an ex or two and sorting out relationship issues. What has emerged is the re-evaluation and restructuring of my business. I no longer do readings at Mystic Journey Bookstore because sadly it now takes me 2 hours to get there in traffic and possibly another 2 1/2 hours to get home. I am also hesitant to join another online psychic talk line because I’m over giving the lion’s share of my earnings over while they “decide” how much of my hard earned money I deserve to get for myself. Meanwhile, I noticed that one psychic line had my photo used on every single one of their promos, but I had unwittingly signed over the rights to my image. So, although my face was the cornerstone of a huge campaign I got nothing … zero … The seasoned PR girl in me was gnashing her teeth at how much I just “gave away.” Today, I am building my business online from my own home studio which I have outfitted with some really good equipment. I make my own promo videos, book my own photo shoots, program my own shows and bank 98% of my take on readings. I have to admit that doing this all on my own is scary right now, but Laxshmi has pushed me towards being more independent and so I bow to her and surrender my fate. Jai Laxshmi. Jai Alaxshmi. Jai Shakti. You have taught me, “Shakti gives no fucks.”